Electricity blackouts to continue in Malawi

Despite heavy rains the country is being blessed with, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has stood firm on its previous statements that blackouts shall continue due to low levels of water in the Shire River.

In a press statement, Escom said the water levels in Lake Malawi, which is the main source of water for the Shire, are down to 472.97 metres above sea level from the normal 474 metres above sea level.

The statement said water levels in the lake have only increased with an insignificant 20 millimetres since the beginning of the rainy season.

“Escom needs a water flow of 264 cubic metres per second in Shire River to produce the maximum capacity of 351 Megawatts but currently water flow in the river is down to 115 cubic metres per second and we are generating 150 Megawatts,” reads part of the statement.

The statement said Shire River’s tributaries such as Lirangwe, Lisungwi, Rivirivi and Nkulumadzi rivers have been injecting significant volumes of water into the river but the contribution is inconsistent as it relies on rains.

Department of Metrological Services spokesperson Jolamu Nkhokwe said he was hopeful that the country will continue receiving more rains until April this year.

“We are going to have a lot of rains throughout the season due to the La Nina winds, especially in the southern part of the country, but we will have to wait until April or May to say we indeed have good rains,” he said.

Meanwhile, Escom is distributing LED bulbs to its customers as one way of conserving energy.